Gag-operating attachment for metal-punching machines



T. s. DONLEY AND J. WELSH.

GAG OPERATING ATTACHMENT FOR METAL PUNCHING MACHINTES.

APPLICATION FILED saw. 19, 1919.

1,414,555, v Patented May 2,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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F. S. DONLEY AND .I. WELSH. GAG OPERATING ATTACHMENT FOR METAL PUNCHING MACHINES iu'rucmou nun SEPT. 19,1919.

Patented May 2,1922;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

All

F. S. DONLEY AND 1. WELSH.

GAG OPERATING ATTACHMENT FOR METAL PUNCHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19. 19:9.

1,414,555, Patented May 2,1922.

i punching holes in metal, I

number of such combinations, namely. from of the machine while working,

cidenta-l movement of the gags either nto ing the same,

carries sraras earner erases,"

FLOYD s. nonLnY AnnJAMns WELSH, or rorrsrown, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAG-oPEItA'l ING- ATTACHMENT FOR METAL-PUNCHING MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that we, FLOYD S. DONLEY and JAMES WVnLsH, citizens of the United States, residing at Pottstown, county of Montgomery, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful'lmp-rovements in Gag-Operating Attachments for Metal-Punching Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to metalworking machines, and more particularly to amecha nism for automaticallyoperating the gags of a metal punching machine, to regulate the punching operation of the punchers thereof, for permitting the proper spacing of holes punched in metal'worlr.

The gag operating mechanism of. approved construction now in use embodies a plurality of levers which are operated to control various combinations of the gag for and only a limited six to eight are permittedwithlthese con structions of gagoperated devices,'and fur-v moved into and out thermore the gags are of operative relation with respect to the punchers by the lovers, one leverbeing provided for each combination of the gag operation, thereby providing devices which are complex in construction and which require the constant attention of the operator of the punch, to keep the lever, and consequently the gags from working, out of their proper positions owing to the jar and motion and this acand out of operative relation -with the punches, often causes extra holes being punched in the metal, consequently spoiland furthermore the present gagoperating devices require an operator who is skilled to a great extent in the metal working art to properly operate tnem and work out the complicated combinations obtainable to the best advantage ofthe spacing of the openings on the material to be punched andthe marking of the levers ac cordingly.

It is an object of this invention-to provide means for operating the gags of a metal punching machine which will eliminate the inconveniences contingent with the use of the gag operating mechanism now in use, as well as one which may be set by any person of ordinary skill, eliminating the necessity of the employment of highly paid Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2,1922.

Application filed September 19, 1919. Serial No. $24 ,978}

skilled opera-torsas well as a device which will prevent the accidental operation of the gag and "consequently eliminate the chance of error in the punching of the material to a'great extent, resulting in a saving of considerable material and time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this nature which is comparatively simple in construction, comprising relatively few parts of different constructions, permitting the maximum production of the parts thereof, in large quantities and consequently reducing the cost of manufacture of the device, as well as to provide one with which corresponding parts are interchangeable so that incase one part becomes broken it may be readily replaced wlth a new or other'part.

More specifically, the invention comprehends the provision of a gag operating mechanism 'with an automatic release for the gags, which includes a plurality of piv-.

otallyl mounted levers, which are connected to the gags, and have springs associated.

therewith for returning them to their normal positionsand consequentlymoving the gags out of operative relation with respect to. the punches of the punching machine, and whichfuither comprises a rotary shaft, having a hand wheel upon one end which is provided with a plurality of radially extending handleathesaid hand wheelbeing graduated to'bear' suitable 'indicia, one corresponding with each of the radial handles carried thereby, which indicia are adapted to indicate various combinations of the lever operating lugs 'orpins to permit the operation of various of the gags of the punching machine and consequentlyto regulate the punching action of the punchers thereof;

ing a plurality of lever engaging members: detachablycarried thereby, and alsohava vertical cross section through 7 by, showing the graduations or indicia car ried by the hand wheel.

Figure 4; is a side elevationofaratchet and its pawl, which are associated with the hand wheel.

v Figure 5 is a detail edge elevation of the pawl applied in connectionwith the ratchet illustrated. in Figure V automatically returning the levers to the Figure 6 is a detail view of a spring em ployed inthe gag operat ng structure for normal positions-to release the gags, and

Figure;- is a planview of a piece ofmetal' the suitable supporting block 11 and are mounted for reciprocatorymovement within the punch carrying-block 11, to permit them to be operated idlly during the operation of the punch. In punches of this structure gags Bare-employed for preventing the re-' ciprocatory movementof the punches 10 relative to the block 11, when these gags are slidably supported by the block l1,'being limited in their sliding movement by bolts 13 which "extend through openings 14 formedin the gags.v When the gags 12 are forced'over the inner ends or heads 15, of r the punchers 1O, 'tl 1 e punch is held against recrprocatory movement relative to the block 11', and consequently whenit is forced 'downwardly'during the operation of the V punching machine A,'thepunch will punch a hole through the metal being operated upon. However, when-the gag 12 is in its outward position as illustrated in Figure "2c of the'drawings, the punch 10 will be per- .mitted to reciprocate relative to the-block '11 and will not punch openings in the metal being worked upon. c,

The gags 12, one of which is provided for eaehpuneh 10 of the machine A has a hooked link 20 connected thereto in any suitable manner, such asillustrated at 21 in Figure 2 of the drawings, and these hooked links are pivotally connected as shown at r 22 to the lower forked end of levers 23. The levers 23 are mounted upon collars 24, which are inturned provided with rectangular axial openings which engage upon the rectangular shaft 25 supported by the end supports 26, of the gagfoperatmg mecha- .nlsm. These supports 26 are attached in c any suitable manner, as indicated at 27, to

the punching machine A. The-levers 23,

any desired numberof whichare provided are mounted for rotary or rocking move 'ment upon the reduced 'lars 24, and these collars are held against longitudinal movement upon the shaft by portions of the .col-

suitable set screws 28, and spacing collars 29. Coil springs 30 are coiled about the larger ormajor port-ions .of:the' collars 24*, having one end thereof connected to the collars, while-the other end of the spring extends tangentially from the periphery of "the-respective collar and is connectedtoiits respective lever 23, angling its terminal and inserting this angled terminal in a suit-- able recess 31, formedinthe lever. .These springs 30 automatically, release the gags or operatethe levers 23 to .returnthem to.

their normal vertical positions, :and move the gags 12 connected with each of the levers,', upon operation of the said leversout of movement arresting position with respect to the punches .10.

A second rectangular shaft 32- is carried by :the supports 26 and this rectangular shaft has a plurality ofcdiscs 33 mounted thereon, one disc for each-of the levers23 as clearly shown in Figure '1 of the drawandgradually moving overthe rounded ends w 40- of the levers 23 to rock them for forcing the gags connected to therespective levers into engagement with the head of the punches 10. It is to'be understood that any desired number of the lugs 33 may be attached to each of the discs 33, discs 33 may be free from carrying these lugs, if desired, depending upon the com: bination of the punches 10. to be operated for punching the holesin proper spaced relation in the metal being worked upon, a sample of which is illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings.

A hand ,wheel 41 is keyed upon the rounded end 42 of therectangular shaft 32, and this hand wheel 41 has a plurality of handles 43 attached thereto, and'extending radially from the periphery of the hand or any of the at all times duringdifi'erent positions of the shaft 32 upon rotation thereof, the same cor responding openings in all of the discs will be in alignment longitudinally of the mechanism, and also in alignment with their corresponding radial handles 43, carried by the hand wheel 41. This hand wheel '41 has graduations or suitableindicia 45 upon the outer facethereof, in alignment with each of the handles 43, as clearlyshown inrecesses 4'7 as there are handles 43, the cen-' ter lines of alternate recesses being parallel.

to the center linesof their corresponding handle 43, and in allgnment therewith longitudinally of the mechanism, while the recesses adjacent the said mentioned alternate recesses are spaced to register between each of the handles and are provided to manitain the punches 10 in neutral, when a pawl 48 is disposed therein. The pawl 48 is pivotally supported as shown. at 49, upon one end support 26, andcit carries a roller 50, upon one end thereof which is adapted to engage in any one of the peripheral recesses 47 of the ratchet'46 The spring 51 is connected to the end of the pawl 480131308 356 that end.

which carries the roller 50, and tends-to urge the roller 5O into any one of the recesses 47, for holding the ratchet 46 and con sequently the shaft 32 against accidental rotation. I a j Q p In use, a template is made, in accordance with the openings to'be formed in the metal to be workedupon, and after this template has been formed or made, the lever operate ing pins 38 are arranged on the various discs 33, in accordance wlth the layout of the openings to be cut, and the operator learns the number of the pincorresponding with" each of the handles 43, so that he knows the number and also the location of the pins which are brought into operative relation with the lever 23,when each of the handles 43 are brought" into position'and when a piece-of work, as illustrated in Fig ure 7 is to be punched itis laid off longitudinally by'making relatively short marks-at"- the distance from the forwardend of the piece 61 of metal to be worked upon, at which it is desired to punch the various rows of holes or'openings, and each mark on the metal the number or indic ia corresponding to the handle 43 of the handgwheel 41 which will bring the desired'number of the punches 10 into operation upon theoperation of the punching machine A, so that when the oper ator starts the piece of work 61' through the punching machine A, he will move the metal until the punches 10 are over the first .line or mark 60. and he will see that the indicia 12 is written'thereon to correspond with this mark-60 and he will consequently operate the wheel 41 in a reverse direction until the handle 43 which corresponds to the indicia 12 onthe disc 41 brought into op erative position with respect to the levers 23, after which/he. will move this handle 43 in a reversedirection to drop the levers 23 which are connected to the'gags12, of the puncher 10 corresponding to the number and spacing of-openings to be punched in the metal 61 at this first mark 60. 'The metal 61 is then moved in the punch until the second mark 60 is brought into alignment beneath the punchers 10 and the hand wheel 41 is operated, to bring the proper gag in engagement with the proper punches to insure the punching of the desired number of holes through the metal at this point, and in their proper spaced relation. The springs 30 will return the levers 28 to their normal positions im mediately after the discs 41 have been moved sufiiciently to disengage the pins 38 with the levers 23, consequently preventing the retaining of the gags 12 which are connected thereto in operative; engagement with the punchers 10 thereby eliminating the liability .01" punching too many holes in the metal i being worked upon. I v a 7 Changes indetailsmay'be made without departing from the spirit'oi: this invention, but; i e

e claim f 1. In a gag operating attachment for punching machines, the combination with a plurality of gags, of operating levers therefor, a shaft, selecting mean s'carried by said shafttor manual operation of said levers, means for returning said levers to their normal positions, andmeans totp'revent accidentalmovement of'said selective lever operating means. i '2. In .a gag operating attachment for punching machines, the combination with a plurality'of gags, of operating levers therefor, and selective means for operating'said levers comprising-a shaft, aplurality of discs mounted upon said shaft, and means carried by said discs for engaging and operatingsaid levers. i i In a gag operating attachment for punching machines, the combination with a pluralityof gags, of levers pivotally mounta shaft, a plurality of discs carried bysaid shaft, means carriedbysaid discs for engaging said levers to rock the levers for operating said gags, and means carried by said shaft for selecting the disc carried means to be moved into operative engagement with said levers. 1

"4. In ajgag operating attachment for ed and operatively connected to said gags,

punching machines, the combination with a plurality of gags, of levers pivotally mounted androperativ'ely connected to said gags,

a shaft, a, plurality of discs carried by said shaft, means carried by said discs forengagingsaid levers .t'orock the'levers foroperatingthe gags, means carried :by said shaft forselectin'g the disc carried means to be movedinto operative engagement with said levers, and means'carried by said'shaftfor preventing accidental movement thereof.

5. In a gag operating attachment for punching machines, the combination with a plurality of gags, of a plurality of pivotally' mounted levers, means connecting said leverstosaid gags for moving-the gags upon pivotal movement of the levers, a shaft, a plurality ofdiscs carried by said shaft, ra-

I dially ext-ending leveroperating pins detach punching machines, thecombinationwvith a plurality of gags, of a plurality .of'pivotally r ably carried by each of said discs .andadapt- .ed for positioning at various places about the periphery of thediscs to be brought into engagement Withcertain of said levers at predetermined times for rocking the levers to operate said gags. o 7

6. In a gag operating attachment for mounted levers,meansconnecting said levers to said gags for moving the gags upon.

pivotal'movement of .thelevers, a shaft, a

predetermined times for rocking the levers to operate the gags, a ratchet carried by said shaft, a-pawl engagingsaid ratchet to prevent accidental rotation of the shaft and disc. 7

7. In agag operating attachment for punching machines, thecomblnation with a i plurality of gags, of operating levers therefor, meansconnecting said operating levers and gags,'a shaft, a plurality of discs car ried by said shaft, p ns detachably carried 1 bythe periphery of said disc, and extending 50 radially therefrom, said pins adapted to ena 'e and rock said levers for o cratin said,

gags, a hand Wheel mounted upon said shaft, and a plurality of radiatingi handles :carried bysaid hand wheel and corresponding to the radial pins carried by said disc, for permitting selection of thepinto be moved into i operative relation with said levers.

8. In a gag operating attachment forpunching machines, the combination with a jpluralityiof gags, of operating levers therefor, means connecting said operatingjlevers and gags, a shaft, a plurality of discs car ried by said shaft, pins detachably carried,

by the periphery of said disc, and extending radiallyrtherefrom, said pins adapted to enpositions afterv operation thereof; byfsaid pins. o w

9.- In a ,:gag' operating 'attachmentifor punching machines, the combination with a plurality of gags, of operating levers there'- for, means connecting said'operatin g levers and'gags, a shaft, a plurality of discs carried by said shaft,'pins detachably carried by the peripheryrof said disc, and extending radially therefrom, said pins adaptedto engage'and rocksaid levers for operating said gags, a hand Wheelmounted upons'aidshaft, a plurality of radiating'handles carried by said hand" Wheel and corresponding to the radial pins carried by said disc forpermitting selection of the pin to be moved into operative" relation Withsaid levers, springs connected to saidlevers for returning the levers and bearings to their normal positionsafter operation thereof by said pins, a ratchet carried by said shaft, a pivoted pawl, and a. spring normally retaining said pawl in engagement with the peripheral recesses in the ratchet In a gag; operating attachment for punching machines, the combination With a metal punching machine, punches and gags therefor, of supports detachably mounted upon said metal punching machine,-a shaft v V mounted Within said. support,'-levers pivotally carried by said shaft, a second shaft carriedbythe supports anddisposed above said first mentioned shaft, a. plurality of discs carried by said second mentioned shaft, each of said discs having a pluralitygo-f recesses thereimlever operating pins detachably carriedby said 'recesses,:and means for rotating said second mentioned shaft to 0peratesaid levers for reciprocatory movement ofsaid gag to place the punches in operative positio. i V Y Y 11. Ina gag operating attachment for metal: punching machines, the combination With a'meta-l punching machine, punches and reciprocatory gags therefor, of supports detachably mounted upon said metal punching machines, a horizontal-shaft rigidly carried by said supports, collars detachably mounti 7 ed upon saidv shaft, levers pivotally mount-i 7 ed upon said collars having depending ends,

links connecting said reciprocatory gags and Y the, depending endsof said levers, a'second;

shaft rotatablyrc'arriedby s1aid"sup ports,.'a plurality Ofdiscsdetachably carriedby said second mentioned shaft, and: lever operating pins adjustably carried by said discs for V crating said levers at predetermined;points, '130 and manual operating means for rotating said second mentioned shaft to operate the levers of said first mentioned discs for placing the guide pins in operative positions.

12. In a gag operating attachment for metal punching machines, the combination with a metal punching machine, punches, and reciprocatory gags, of supports detachably mounted upon said metal punching machines, a substantially rectangular shaft rigidly carried by said support, collars detachably mounted upon said shaft, levers pivotally mounted upon said collars, links connecting said levers and said reciprocatory gags, spring means for maintaining said levers in position to movethe gags in inoperative position, a second mentioned shaft rotatably carried by said support, a plurality of discs detachably mounted upon said second mentioned shaft, each of said discs having a plurality of recesses therein, lever operating pins adapted to be adjustably positioned Within said discs at predetermined points, and a hand wheel "for operating said second mentioned shaft, having handles thereon disposed upon said hand Wheel and aligning with the recesses in each of said discs for operating the wheel to 0p erate the shaft, and plate selected gags in operative position.

13. In a gag operating attachment for punching machines, the combination with a metal punching machine including punches and gags, of rotary means for selective operation of each of said gags, and means for automatically maintaining said rotary means in fixed position for neutral disposal of said gags, when said rotary means is inactive.

FLOYD S. DONLEY. JAMES WELSH. 

